We're mid-August, and if you're a learning coach or educator, you're probably already thinking about getting your space ready for fall sessions and new clients. When I was teaching in classrooms, I spent a lot of time preparing my learning environment because I knew how important it was—not just for the learners, but for me too. The space either works with you or against you. It matters. So here's what I'm thinking: I'm inviting you to share your space with us. Post a photo of where you work with learners. Tell us a bit about what's there, what's working, or maybe some things you have flexibility to change. Share ideas you're playing with. And then we'll bounce ideas off each other, learn from each other, and think through what might work for your space and your learners. What does your space look like? Share a photo, and let's get the conversation started.

July seems to be flying by. ☀️ I’m curious…what have you been immersed in this summer? For me, it’s been a keynote I’m preparing for September. I expected to spend most of my time writing. Instead, I’ve spent much of it thinking, rereading, sketching ideas, recording drafts, taking notes, and sitting with questions that don’t have quick answers. I’ve been reading Resonate by Nancy Duarte, learning more about storytelling, and reflecting on what makes an idea meaningful enough to stay with people after a presentation ends. It’s been an interesting season of slowing down. As I’ve looked back across years of teaching, parenting, learning, and building Visually Speaking, I keep returning to one question: What does it take for a learner to thrive? But another question has gradually emerged: What have all of those experiences been teaching me about that question? I’ve realized this keynote isn’t really about telling my story. It’s about trying to understand what those experiences have been pointing toward all along, and then translating that learning into something others can see, question, and build on together. That’s been the most challenging part—and, I think, the most meaningful. There have been plenty of moments where I’ve found myself deep in hyper-focus, rearranging ideas, drafting another version, or suddenly seeing a connection I hadn’t noticed before. It’s amazing how much thinking can happen in the quiet spaces between everyday life. I’d love to hear from you. What have you been immersed in this summer? Is there a question you’ve been sitting with, a project that’s changed shape as you’ve worked on it, or something that’s teaching you more than you expected?

One thing I’ve noticed is that travel looks different now than it did before I understood myself and my family through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. I still love exploring new places. I still want to wander beautiful streets, discover museums, try local food, and fit in as much as possible. But I also know that every choice has a cost, and my nervous system keeps the score. There were moments when we chose to do less so we could enjoy more. We built in extra time. We paid attention to what our bodies were telling us. We mixed busy sightseeing with experiences that felt calming and sensory-rich. We accepted that after a day of walking and navigating a busy city, everyone might need extra comfort, patience, or simply rest. I also found myself making different choices than I might have years ago. Not because I couldn’t do everything, but because I wanted to finish the trip feeling well rather than pushing until I crashed. Sometimes that meant saying no to one more stop, one more treat, or one more activity. Something else I’ve learned is that coming home is part of the trip too. For me, the days afterward aren’t just about unpacking luggage—they’re about unpacking experiences. Processing conversations. Sorting through ideas. Letting my nervous system settle. Giving myself permission to recover instead of expecting to jump straight back into normal life. None of this made the trip feel smaller. If anything, it made it richer. I’m grateful for the family who welcomed us, for the experiences we shared, and for how much more compassionate we’ve become with ourselves. Our vacations don’t have to look like anyone else’s. They just have to work for the people taking them. I’d love to hear from others in this community. Has learning more about yourself changed the way you travel, recover, or plan family experiences?